GRAND RAPIDS -- Upon being introduced as the fifth coach in Grand Rapids Rampage history, Steve Thonn proclaimed it would be the Arena Football League playoffs or bust in his first season leading the team.

It's beginning to look like a bust.

The Rampage self-destructed Friday night in a 58-50 loss to the Tampa Bay Storm in front of an announced crowd of 7,205 at Van Andel Arena.

"The loss hurts," Rampage defensive back Ahmad Hawkins said. "We really wanted to get this one. No excuses, though. We're still in the (playoff) picture. We still have an opportunity to control our own destiny."

The losses, however, continue to pile up.

The Rampage (3-8) suffered their third consecutive loss and sixth in seven games while perhaps endangering their chances of reaching the AFL postseason for the first time since 2003.

The battle for the sixth and final playoff spot in the American Conference standings is shaping up as a three-way fight to the finish that includes Kansas City and Utah. Both teams trail the Rampage by one game.

"I told these guys nothing changes," Thonn said. "We're still in that (sixth) spot. We're still in control of our (fate). We still have to do something in the next three games and make a run."

A good place to start might be holding onto the football.

The self-inflicted damage for the Rampage included four interceptions, two fumbles lost, two sacks and eight penalties for 44 yards.

It ruined a record-setting performance for Rampage wide receiver Cole Magner, who tied a team high with 15 receptions for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His total yardage is the fourth highest in franchise history.

"I was just trying to go out there and set the tone," Magner said.

Instead of records, he would have preferred a win.

"Mistakes killed us. It's tough, but that's football. It's like coach said," Magner said. "We just have to learn from these mistakes and move on."

Grand Rapids trailed 35-28 at halftime.

A series of blunders -- an interception, a botched kickoff, a fumbled snap exchange between center Brandon Eaton and quarterback James MacPherson -- helped the Storm overcome a 14-point deficit in the second quarter.

First, MacPherson threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage following Hawkins' kickoff return to the Tampa Bay 7-yard line.

On the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay's Seth Marler drilled the ball off the top of the iron on the rebound net and got a high bounce off the turf that Rampage return man Chris Johnson attempted to tip to Magner. He tipped it instead to Traco Rachal of the Storm, who scooped it up for a 3-yard scoring play.

Finally, MacPherson fumbled Eaton's snap on the first play from scrimmage following a missed field goal. The Storm scored with 16 seconds left in the half.

MacPherson finished 26-of-35 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

Kenny Higgins, coming off a 195-yard performance for the Rampage in his last game, was limited to six catches for 50 yards and one touchdown. Johnson finished with four receptions for 38 yards, including three first-half touchdowns.

Dietz finished 20-of-40 for 293 yards and five scores.

Hawkins tied a Grand Rapids franchise record with his sixth interception of the season. He also set a team record for interception return yards with 79.